[ Sebastian nods in agreement to calling the factions kinder, and there’s even a little breath of a laugh that implies he likely has more to say about Kenoma and Achamoth. But those he keeps to himself, if only because it’s a bit of a side topic. He had his own thoughts about both from the moment he’d seen the Regent’s heavy hand in action, but they really do amount to petty complaining at this point… ]

From what you told me, I can see how. I imagine much of Springstar is meant to inspire nostalgia, but its “default” of sorts certainly hearkens to what I would call the classics.

[ The ripple of guilt is odd to feel, if only because it’s a foreign emotion for him. It also gives him a little more purchase in that idea of offering his “trade”, most likely. For those that desire Meridian, the feeling of Zenith here in these roots must be terrible. It was certainly so for him in reverse. Though before he gets to that, he can’t resist commenting on the philosophy of Zenith’s goal. ]

…Though I do agree with you, at least about what would be ahead for Zenith. I imagine that is not very surprising, though. Some might call it cynicism, but I do not think it is possible to make that sort of world so long as people are in it. [ There’s much that could be said about that, and indeed, there are countless books filled with musings on such a topic, but Sebastian just shrugs slightly. ] It is not one I would enjoy, certainly.